Globe Expands Starlink Mobile Roaming to Japan for Filipino Travelers

 

Globe Telecom Inc. has expanded its satellite-powered connectivity services beyond the Philippines, activating Starlink Mobile roaming in Japan to help Filipino travelers stay connected in areas with limited cellular coverage.

The service, offered through a partnership with Japanese telecommunications company KDDI Corp., allows Globe subscribers to access satellite connectivity alongside conventional mobile roaming. Under the GoRoam Japan package, travelers can use selected messaging and navigation applications even in locations where traditional mobile networks have limited reach.

The expansion marks another step in Globe's efforts to address connectivity gaps through satellite technology, particularly in areas where building conventional cellular infrastructure remains challenging.

Globe's head of consumer mobile business, Eric Tanbauco, said the company is committed to advancing connectivity solutions, including direct-to-device technology, to provide customers with more reliable access to mobile services.

Through its partnership with KDDI, Globe is exploring how satellite networks can complement existing telecommunications infrastructure and improve connectivity for Filipinos traveling overseas.

KDDI executive officer Makoto Kadowaki also highlighted the growing role of satellite technology in the telecommunications industry. He said expanding satellite coverage could help eliminate cellular dead zones worldwide and bring connectivity to locations beyond the reach of conventional networks.

Globe Expands Its Satellite Connectivity Footprint

Globe first introduced Starlink Mobile in the Philippines in June, becoming the first telecommunications provider in Southeast Asia and the second in Asia to offer the service.

The technology enables compatible smartphones to connect directly to satellites when conventional cellular networks are unavailable. It is intended to extend mobile connectivity to remote communities and other areas where establishing cell sites is difficult.

Before launching the service, Globe identified the remaining four percent of the Philippine population living in geographically isolated areas as a significant connectivity challenge. Satellite technology offers an alternative approach to reaching these underserved communities without relying entirely on additional ground-based infrastructure.

The company's latest expansion into Japan also demonstrates how direct-to-device technology can support international roaming, allowing travelers to maintain access to essential digital services even outside conventional coverage areas.

However, device compatibility remains a consideration. Smartphone manufacturers and models have varying levels of support, although compatible devices must have LTE capabilities to connect to satellites.

GoRoam Japan Rates and Inclusions

Globe's GoRoam Japan package starts at ₱400 for seven days. The introductory package includes 2 GB of all-access data, 1 GB of satellite data and 50 satellite text messages to all networks.

By combining conventional roaming with satellite connectivity, the service gives Filipino travelers another option for staying connected while exploring Japan, particularly in locations where terrestrial mobile coverage is limited.

The launch reinforces Globe's strategy of incorporating satellite technology into its mobile services, with the broader objective of extending connectivity beyond the limitations of traditional cellular networks.